The Sprout
Oxford’s green Father Christmas is Botley’s Bob Cowley
The newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Issue 123 December 2017
The Sprout
Issue 123, Winter 2017
Contents
3 Letters to the Editor
5 First Father Christmas
9 Cry Havoc
11 West Way Update
13 Remembrance Day Service
15 Christmas Spirit Rules at OFB
21 Sprout Matters
23 Botley Medical Practice PPG
25 Brownies
29 Matthew Arnold Rocks
33 West Way Day Centre
35 Planning Applications
37Randoms
39 Local Organizations
From the Editor
Lots going on in the run-up to Christmas, see Diary on the back cover. A
really striking example of the spirit of good will in action is being provided
by the Oxford Food Bank based in Curtis’s Yard, who will be providing
Christmas dinner for upwards of 400 people on the Day, with the help of
100-plus volunteers. If last year is anything to go by, this will be an
unforgettable occasion (p.15). Details of Christmas services are on page 2
– but only for the Church of England. We’d have printed more, but you need
to send them to us! Phone numbers for the other denominations are on the
inside back cover. For the first time since the Sprout was founded twelve
years ago, we will be putting up our advertising rates (p.21). Sprout adverts
are still very good value for money, but the raise is needed if we are to keep
a fund available for grants for local projects. There’s some money in the
kitty at the moment, so if you think we could help you, get in touch. Then
there’s the good news that the Day Centre is back in business at Field
House (p33), and that our local Morris team have raised solid money over
the summer for Riding for the Disabled (p.9) – good for you, Cry Havoc! On
8th December at Dean Court Community Centre, there’s a chance for the
over-60s to have a Fitness MOT, ready for a whole new series of energetic
activities in the new year, funded by the Vale and Sport England - good
subject, perhaps, for New Year’s resolutions! Happy Christmas everyone,
and a Happy New Year! We’ll be back in February. Ag MacKeith
Letters to the Editor
It’s too much!
With reference to S Cohen on air pollution in the November Sprout: Well
done! It’s about time – long over-due – someone highlighting this health
hazard. I wonder how many people who don’t smoke have had a cough
for months they cannot shift. I know I have!
And let’s not forget noise pollution. Standing in Botley cemetery, the
hideous din – not at all reverent. Also no peace in my garden. And open
the windows of the home, your senses are assaulted straight away.
What a racket, twenty-four seven!
Edith Mabbatt
CHURCH OF ENGLAND
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Sunday 17th December –
3.30pm Traditional Carol Service at St. Lawrence
Sunday 24th December – Christmas Eve
4.30pm Christingle Service at St. Peter & St. Paul
11.30pm Midnight Mass at St. Lawrence
Christmas Day
9.30am Christmas Day celebration of Holy
Communion at St. Peter & St. Paul
10.30am Christmas Day celebration of
Holy Communion at St. Lawrence
The first Father Christmas and the first Christmas
When everyone is getting together and having a good time at Christmas
why are we reminded of the needs of the less well off through campaigns
such as “Crisis at Christmas”? Isn’t this spoiling the party?
The first Father Christmas was St Nicholas of Smyrna. He lived from 270–
343 AD. One Christmas he came across a poor family where three
daughters were due to be “sold” into what we would term today “sex
slavery” to pay for the family’s debts. To help them avoid this, he secretly
threw three bags of gold coins into their home which landed in some
stockings. Hence the tradition of hanging up Christmas stockings.
But it goes back further than that. Nicholas of Smyrna was a Christian
Bishop, inspired by the story of the first Christmas when Jesus, son of
Mary – the one whom people claimed at the end of his earthly life to be
King of Kings and Lord of Lords – was born not in a palace but in a stable
next to an inn. His family then fled the country as refugees to Egypt.
Jesus once said words to the effect that "the poor would always be with
us, even when he himself had gone." What he meant was that when he
was not present people could honour him by assisting the poor. So in
honour of his birthday we honour his wishes.
Thomas Hardy evokes this birth in a stable in his lovely Christmas poem:
The Oxen
Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.
“Now they are all on their knees,”
An elder said as we sat in a flock
By the embers in hearthside ease.
We pictured the meek mild creatures where
They dwelt in their strawy pen,
Nor did it occur to one of us there
To doubt they were kneeling then.
So fair a fancy few would weave
In these years! Yet, I feel,
If someone said on Christmas Eve,
“Come; see the oxen kneel,
“In the lonely barton by yonder coomb
Our childhood used to know,”
I should go with him in the gloom,
Hoping it might be so.
Chris Sugden
Cry Havoc
Morris Dancers Raise Funds for Disabled Riders
You will have seen Botley Morris dancers, Cry Havoc, out and about over
the summer, enjoying themselves dancing and making music. You might
also have noticed that as they do so, they collect money to donate to
charity. This year they have been supporting Riding for the Disabled.
At their centre near Southmoor, Riding for the Disabled Abingdon Group
enables people of all ages and with a wide range of disabilities to benefit
their health and wellbeing by riding on horseback. There are 85 riders,
164 voluntary instructors, and 12 horses and ponies. The time has come
to raise funds for a new indoor arena. The is badly needed, to allow riders
to reach their potential and achieve higher levels of riding skills, including
dressage and jumping.
Members of Cry Havoc met the
riders, horses and helpers at
Southmoor on November 4th
and presented Ann Barlow of
Abingdon RDA with a cheque
for £850 towards the new
indoor school. One
modification to the Morris kit
was required – they took their
bells off so as not to frighten
the horses! The photo shows
Barbara Brett presenting the
cheque.
Cry Havoc dancer Charlotte Ritchie helps with the riding once a week.
She says: ‘Volunteering with the Abingdon Group has made me realise
how brilliant these children are, and how beautifully the ponies work with
them to build up their muscle strength and confidence. It’s a great thing
to do, raising money for their new arena!'
If you would like to donate to the new indoor school you can do so via
https://www.justgiving.com. Search for RDAbingdon/newindoorschool .
If you would like to help in a class or to ride, the person to contact is Ann
Barlow at annps.barlow@googlemail.com. If you would like to join Cry
Havoc and learn to Morris dance: come along on a Thursday evening at
7.30 to the WI hall in North Hinksey Lane.
Barbara Brett
West Way redevelopment update
West Way Community Concern have been keeping the community
updated on the prospective redevelopment of the West Way centre for
four years now, via our newsletters and articles in parish magazines.
Mace’s community engagement over the past year, on the other hand,
has consisted of a public meeting in June, and very little since. What
information we receive, particularly via the planning process, often proves
to be unreliable.
The original plan was to commence work in November 2016, with a 3½
year programme. This was later extended. Early this year, the intention
was to change the phasing to reduce the programme from 5½ years back
to 3½. Traders in West Way Centre were instructed to leave by the end
of June, so we might have expected commencement of works soon after,
although this depended on a planning permission for the change of use
of Elms Court and the Grant Thornton building which hadn’t yet been
granted. In September, Mace asked the planning department of the Vale
for a quick decision, so that they could be on site in October. In
November, they submitted a required planning document, saying they
wished to be on site in November. But approval of this document will not
be achieved before December.
Mace have prepared an information leaflet, which was distributed
electronically to some members of the Community Liaison Group. When
asked when this was to be sent to residents, their PR agents responded
that copies would be in the library, and WWCC and local councillors could
give it to ‘interested parties’. If interested parties aren’t the residents, who
are? Are we expected to print this out and deliver it ourselves? Does
Mace’s budget not run to keeping us informed?
The leaflet can be found on our website and in the library. It repeats the
aspiration to commence work ‘soon’, but confirms that existing shops will
stay open where they are over Christmas. There is nothing new in it but
it may act as a reminder of the plans as it is five months since their last
public meeting. Actions speak louder than words, and we haven’t seen
much yet!
Mary Gill, Co- Chair, WWCC
To stay informed, please check our website and social media
(www.westwayconcern.wordpress.com www.twitter.com/westwayconcern
facebook.com/westwayconcern) or sign up for our email updates via
westwayconcern@gmail.com .
Remembrance Sunday
I would like to thank North Hinksey
Parish Council for inviting me to speak
at this year’s Remembrance Sunday
service, held at Botley’s
Commonwealth War Graves
Cemetery. When I look back at what it
must have been like for those soldiers
killed during both World Wars, it makes
me realise how vital it is to be at peace.
As I mentioned in my address, I was
glad to see that, once again, Botley people had not forgotten the German
and Italian graves. By the German graves, wooden crosses had been
placed with the words, “zum gedenken” (in remembrance). This cemetery
is certainly a jewel in Botley’s crown. The picture shows the Scouts and
Guides playing their part in the ceremony.
Afterwards in
the WI Hall,
some of us
were talking
about the late
Sir Martin
Gilbert
(1936–2015),
the official
biographer of
Winston
Churchill, who
once lived in
the parish.
Did you ever
know him or
his family? I
hope to write further about him and his achievements in a future Sprout.
I am keenly interested in local history and all the local stories, so if you
would like to contact me and add your own tale to the rest, you can find
me on martin.harris321@gmail.com or by phone on 01865 864776.
Martin Harris
Christmas Spirit rules
This Christmas Day, volunteers from the Oxford Food Bank will once
again be cooking a traditional Christmas meal for up to four hundred
diners at the King’s Centre, Osney, with food that would otherwise have
gone to landfill. Despite not knowing until the night of Christmas Eve
exactly how much food will end up being donated by supermarkets and
wholesalers, the organisers are adopting an ‘everybody welcome’
approach, with over a hundred volunteers on standby to cook, entertain
and provide free
transport.
Last year, over
thirty turkeys and
almost a tonne of
vegetables were
eaten, along with
many kilos of
smoked salmon,
mince pies, and
Christmas cake.
Here’s how they
described it on
Facebook: “An
army of kitchen
volunteers toiled
away cheerfully and tirelessly for 2 days, unseen by our hundreds of guests.
They prepped, baked, roasted, carved and designed dozens of dishes; using
several tons of food collected by OFB volunteers in the days leading up to
Christmas to ensure that it didn't go to waste. And they even stayed behind
to do the washing up!” The first photo shows some of the volunteer army
in the kitchen, and second one the scene on the other side of the serving
hatch around the Christmas tree.
“We realised the majority of the eighty
or so organisations we supply all year
with waste food shut down over
Christmas,” OFB spokesperson Cathy
Howard explains. “That left some
people with nowhere to go for up to four
days – just at the point where
supermarkets have a glut of waste food
on their hands. So we decided to try to
plug the gap ourselves.”
Diners last year included local families,
the elderly, Syrian refugees, those
facing food poverty and many more. “It’s
great to see people from all walks of life
coming together to celebrate Christmas
with a free festive feast, and reducing
food waste at the same time,” says lead
organiser Sara Strong. “You don’t have
to be a client of one of the charities we
supply to come along – last year many diners were just local people who
wanted to do something more community-based at Christmas. There was
a real spirit of joy and togetherness. And it was certainly something to
see groups of
Syrian men
leading other
diners in trad-
itional Dabke
dancing.” A
video of last
year’s meal
posted on
Facebook has
received over
six thousand
views (third
photo).
This year the
meal will once
again be held
from midday at The King’s Centre, OX2 0ES and is open to all comers.
There will be family-friendly entertainment and vegetarian options,
although there won’t be any alcohol, except in the cake.
“To be honest, we probably have enough volunteers now, although we’re
always looking for experienced entertainers,” Sara Strong says. “As well
as those cooking, we have enough drivers to give anyone who wants one
a lift there and back home again afterwards. And we also have volunteers
on every table making sure everyone’s having a good time.”
“Our main drive now is to make sure everyone hears about the meal,”
she adds. “By definition, those who might benefit most from it, such as
the elderly or isolated, are some of the hardest to reach on social media,
so we really just want everyone to think about whether they know of a
neighbour or acquaintance who might like to be told.”
Although diners can just turn up, those wishing to come are asked to
contact Sara on sarastrong@tesco.net to arrange free transport. She can
also be contacted on 07802 773846 by those without email.
What a brilliant initiative, and it was clearly so much fun! If you know
anyone who might enjoy the festivities – not to mention the meal! – make
sure you tell them about it. Lifts are available. Sara Strong
Sprout matters
The Sprout’s financial year starts on 1st December, so the Directors’
November meeting takes a hard look at our finances. As new estates
have opened up off Lime Road and Tilbury Lane, more people have come
to live here, and many houses have now been turned into flats. More
households means more copies, and the increased print run means
higher costs. If we are to maintain the level of community grants at £2000
a year, something has to give.
Should we stop using recycled paper? This is much more expensive than
it was when we first started to use it. No! It is important to tread lightly on
the planet, and recycled paper is part of the Sprout ethos.
Advertising rates, on the other hand, are still at the level set in 2005 when
the Sprout was founded. There can be few other business costs that are
still the same as they were 12 years ago! And although so many local
businesses have had to shut up shop to accommodate the new West
Way development, the Sprout continues to be a popular channel for local
advertisers. We have therefore agreed on a new scale of charges, which
can be found on the inside front cover.
Why do we bother? The Sprout wasn’t set up to make a profit, after all!
That’s true enough, but we really like the way we can give small local
initiatives a leg-up. Sometimes this really helps get good things off the
ground – for instance Botley Bridges, which was able to use a Sprout
grant to investigate the viability of the current arrangements before any
other money came in. Or we can help to keep good things going – like
the grant we gave the Over-Sixties Lunch Club to get new saucepans. Or
provide a treat, like the panto subsidy for less well-off Botley school
children last Christmas, and the Field House outing this one. We’ve never
given out more than £500 in one go, and our grants more usually range
between £50 and £200, but they come with no strings attached and can
make a real difference. There’s some money to spare at the moment, so
if you have some kind of community project that we could help, now is
the time to ask us.
Finally, our deliverers continue to be a modest lot who don’t like to be
made a fuss of. But we couldn’t manage without you, as quickly becomes
apparent when there are gaps in the rota. Pat Back is one of our older
supporters, and there’s a picture of her 80th birthday party in Randoms.
Thank you, Pat, and everyone else involved in our great little magazine!
Ag MacKeith, Editor
What’s in a name? … A lot when it comes to the NHS
When you are referred to a hospital specialist it is really helpful to have
confidence that they actually are competent to diagnose our condition
and prescribe for it, especially if it is really serious.
So it is unnerving to discover, if the consultant is not available, that we
will be seen by one of those currently referred to as “junior doctors”. This
creates the impression that such doctors are fresh out of medical school.
But in fact, they have already had five years in medical school, and two
years training in hospital. The term ‘junior’ is then applied for at least a
further seven years. No wonder the doctors themselves feel that such a
term undermines their own sense of worth and morale!
I still deal in “old money”, so I’m old enough to know that new doctors
used to be called ‘house officers’. Then they progressed to Senior House
Officer, Registrar and Senior Registrar. By the time they were a registrar
they were really knowledgeable and skilled. Under the present system
they continue to have very senior responsibilities such as being in sole
charge of the hospital out of hours, but now they are all known as ‘junior
doctors’.
Consider for a moment if the same system were applied in other
organisations. The police do not have name-labels saying ‘Trainee’ until
they are Chief Superintendent. The army does not designate corporals,
sergeants, lieutenants and captains as ‘junior’. Why is this being done to
doctors?
The chief medical officer for England, Professor Dame Sally Davies,
says: “These titles (‘junior doctors’) do not seem to work for staff or
patients. All health workers should get the respect they deserve … and
this should include how their jobs are described.”
Dr David Matthews, a world-renowned specialist in Diabetes resident in
Cumnor, has been leading a campaign to change the current misleading
set of terms and return to simple levels such as Doctor, Registrar and
Consultant. The only cost would be for some new name labels, letter
heads and room signs. Yet he and his colleagues claim the impact would
be highly beneficial to everyone. What do you think?
Chris Sugden, Secretary, Botley Medical Centre’s Patient Participation Group
This article is written on behalf of the Botley PPG, although the views
expressed are not necessarily those of the Medical Practice
Goodbye Margaret
Five new girls have recently been enrolled in Second Botley Brownies,
but there has been some sad news as well. We have learnt that Mrs
Margaret Ballard has passed away. Before she retired from Girlguiding,
she was our Brown Owl for over 35 years at the unit that she founded
with Mrs Angela Bye back in 1972. Girlguiding was well represented at
her funeral – it was the least we could do for all those years of service
and all of them as an unpaid volunteer (as we all still are). The mood
lifted afterwards at the wake where two large boards covered in
photographs old and new prompted exchanges of many stories involving
Margaret’s sense of mischief and fun.
I think my all-time favourite prank happened on our first Brownie Holiday
back in 1999, when Margaret was also presented with her 30-year
award. The holiday was for four nights and five days and as it was our
first holiday the would-be licence holder (me) and the team had to be
assessed in action. Usually, the day when the assessment will be done
is pre-arranged but for unknown reasons that was not so in this case, so
we were all on tenterhooks the whole time until the examiner finally
appeared – thereby lies another tale involving a special bucket but that’s
for another time.
Anyway, as the assessor had been
and gone away satisfied with our
running of the holiday the whole
team and the girls were finally able
to relax. Later that day, in the
kitchen Margaret (Brown Owl) and
John (Mr Snowy) were hard at work
preparing yet another delicious
meal whilst the girls and the other
leaders were out on the field
running around. All of a sudden, Mr
Snowy (in his chef’s whites) is seen
being slowly led out of the holiday
home by Brown Owl, both of them
looking rather pale. He has a
bloodied tea towel wrapped around
his left hand and mumbles
something about the knife being
rather sharper than anticipated. The first aider, Alison (Tawny Owl), is
quickly summoned from the far corner of the field (and at this point is
carrying Snowy’s two year old son in her arms because he is tired). Mr
Snowy repeats that the knife was sharper than anticipated and he may
have done some damage. Certainly the tea towel has been expertly
wrapped around his hand except for the tips of the fingers. There is a
considerable amount of blood present around the wound and he says he
feels faint. Brown Owl has drifted back towards the house.
Tawny swiftly arrives (still carrying the boy) and as she draws level with
Mr Snowy he stumbles and drops a severed finger on the floor. Quick as
a flash Tawny looks at the grass thinking about retrieving it so that it could
be packed in ice cream ready for the hospital to deal with it and then she
spots that it is not in fact a severed finger at all but a raw chipolata! She
looks up to Mr Snowy, who shrugs and smiles. She knows at once who
is responsible for the whole prank and looks towards the house where
she sees Brown Owl laughing as she disappears through the door, her
mischief done.
Thank you Margaret (Brown Owl) for your sense of humour, community
spirit and friendship.
Lucy Howes
'Matthew Arnold Rocks'
Fireworks and HUGE thanks!
Once again the early November weather
was kind to us and after a significant
amount of preparation and planning
Matthew Arnold Home School
Association (MAHSA) hosted its third
Fireworks event of recent times:
'Matthew Arnold Rocks'!
It took just over seven weeks for a team,
which included some very dedicated teachers, to put
together the fireworks event. Finally, stalls were erected
with sterling help from the Sixth Form and other students,
and representatives of each of the five school House teams stepped
forward to welcome arrivals with a funfair atmosphere. Local bands (two
talented student bands: ‘Grey Shift’ and ‘The Paperboys’, followed by the
brilliant local West Oxford band, 'Bötley Crue') created a festive feel for
all to enjoy. A grand choice of
bonfire night food, a bar and
warming hot drinks catered to the
needs of all you wonderful people
that came along to enjoy the
fabulous 'Stormworks' fireworks
display. Thank you to each and
every one of you, you made it all
worthwhile.
The place was buzzing and it
certainly felt like a good time was
had by all… and in so doing we
raised over £2,000!
As some of you may know, due to
the increasing local population,
Matthew Arnold School is having a
new build comprising a new Sixth
Form Centre 0 and four new
classrooms. Though primarily
funded by Section 106
monies, this will only cover the actual construction, the school has to find
the funds to furnish and equip the new building. To that end the Home
School Association has pledged to raise £20,000 of the additional
£35,000 needed over two years. We usually raise about £3,500 to
£4,00per year but since December 2015 we’ve raised £11,000 so we’re
well on the way to reaching our target!
So whether you're a student at the school, know someone who is, or
simply live locally, please look out for future events and come along, have
some fun and support us in the process. By the time the Sprout lands on
your doorstep we will have had our Autumn quiz but please do look out
for future adverts in the Sprout for our Spring quiz when Ruth Lyster will
be creating yet another one of her fantastic themed feasts – when you
see them, so get those tickets purchased quick, they soon run out!
Early in the New Year we hope to finalize the organization of our School
Lottery, so for those of you who want to support the HSA’s fundraising
endeavours but who feel a Fireworks Night or Quiz isn’t your thing,
perhaps you can buy a couple of lottery tickets every month and be in
with a chance of winning a cash prize.And finally if anyone fancies getting
involved with the Home School Association, or has a good idea for
fundraising for the school, please
do drop us an email on
hsa@maschool.org.uk and we’ll
let you know the details of our next
meeting in 2018! We look forward
to seeing you there!
Take good care and once again
huge thanks to all.
Oh yes, one last specific thank
you… to the lovely man that gave
Joe, one of our more senior and
distinguished guests his woolly hat
to wear… we really hope you, Joe
and Joe’s friends had a lovely time
Here’s to random acts of
kindness everywhere!
Angela Bloss, Chair, Matthew
Arnold Home School Association.
West Way Day Centre is alive and well!
Amidst all the current debate about the development of West Way, there
is one small but very important concern of which many people are
probably unaware. Like many services the Day Centre for elderly people
was hit by cuts and staffing shortages which signalled the end of Friday
sessions and fuelled rumours that we had closed altogether.
However, I am happy to report that West Way Day Centre for elderly
people is now well and truly up and running at Field House on Mondays
and Fridays from 10 am to 3 pm and provides a wonderful opportunity
for the not-so-young to meet and socialise. Activities include tea and
biscuits on arrival, gentle exercise, games, quizzes, visiting speakers,
outings, a two course lunch, afternoon tea and, of course, endless
chatting and lots of laughter. We are a very friendly bunch and have been
delighted to welcome several new members recently but would love to
see more joining us. Transport can be arranged if required.
For many elderly people who live
alone, the centre is their main social
contact; coming along to meet
friends is the highlight of their week
and contributes significantly to their
physical and mental well-being.
With the recent increase in
numbers and days offered, we are
also on the lookout for new
volunteers. If you could spare six
hours a week, or maybe a month,
we would love to hear from you.
Many volunteers find that even
giving a small amount of time reaps
enormous benefits for them too, not
just the people they are helping. For
more information call 07740
611971 or email
oxfordshire.hub@royalvoluntary
service.org.uk We look forward to
welcoming you soon.
Elaine Spencer, Manager, West Way Day Centre.
LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS
P17/V2789/HH
40 Hutchcomb Rd. Ground floor side
extension for extra bedroom en suite.
16 October
TDD: 11 Dec
P17/V2861/LDP
80 Arthray Rd. Alteration of existing
hipped roof to form a gabled roof.
17 October
TDD: 12 Dec
P17/V2865/DIS
Discharge of
conditions -
17/V1047/FUL
18 & 20A North Hinksey Lane.
3. Materials, 4. Levels, 9. Landscaping, 11.
Arboricultural Method Statement & 13.
Drainage. Demolish existing buildings &
build 10 dwellings.
18 October
Target Decision
Date: 29 Nov
P17/V3033/FUL
Variation of 2
P17/V1047/FUL
Land Off North Hinksey Lane. Flats
Changes to windows, internal layouts to
flats 1-5, add balconies to flats 4 & 5, roof
dormers, landscaping, refuse & cycle
parking, car port. Demolish existing
buildings & build 10 dwellings.
6 November
TDD: 5
February
P17/V2876/HH
Brookside 4 Tilbury Lane. Single storey
side and rear extensions.
18 October
TDD: 13 Dec
P17/V2928/HH
40 Westminster Way. Remove veranda to
rear & replace with garden room.
25 October
TDD: 20 Dec
P17/V2944/DIS
Discharge of
condition 5 -
P16/V0963/FUL
Hillhead Lime Road. Convert to semi-
detached & relocate main driveway to rear
via Turner Drive, off road parking & cycle
& bin stores.
26 October
TDD: 7 Dec
P17/V2940/A
Approved Drive-Thru (Unit 12) Seacourt
Tower Retail Park. Erect 1 height barrier
sign, 2 key seller signs, 1 double menu sign,
1 roof letters + tray sign, 2 fascia signs.
Illuminated.
2 November
TDD: 28 Dec
P17/V3008/D
7-8 Hinksey Business Centre North
Hinksey Lane. Demolition of toilet block.
6 November
TDD: 4 Dec
P17/V3052/DIS
Discharge of
condition 3 traffic
management.
P17/V1507/FUL
Botley Local Centre West Way. Temp
change of use planning consent for 3 years,
relocation & addition of units. Changes to
access & egress, provision of 43 parking
spaces, partially demolish Grant Thornton
House & Seacourt Hall & install portacabin
(A1 use) As amended by plans received
4/09/2017.
7 November
Target Decision
Date:
19 Dec
Randoms
Centenarians
Mrs Ruth Van Heyningan celebrated her 100th birthday in October. She
joins other centenarians, Mrs Betty Laws and Mr Cyril Hawkins (102).
They all live within 100 yards of each other in North Hinksey Village. Is
there something in the air there?
Green Fair
The Green Father Christmas on our front cover is of course, Bob Cowley
of Cope Close. Oxford Green Fair is the biggest event of its kind in the
country, now in its 37th year!. This is the place to find unique handmade
gifts, and where all the local campaigns have a stall to explain what they
do to the public at large. It’s in Oxford Town Hall on 2nd December.
Walking around Botley
And on December 3rd, starting at the Community Orchard in North
Hinksey Lane at 2pm, is a guided walk around Botley, taking in its green
spaces and history. It will go down the lane to the village, through the
underpass to Raleigh Park, and across the top of Elms Rise to the
Pavilion where there will be refreshments at 3. If you like you can join it
there and continue on down through Dean Court to Tilbury Fields. This
one-off chance to get to know parts of the area you may not normally visit
is a bright idea of the Association for Botley Communities.
Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme
Oxford Preservation Trust (OPT) has been working hard to learn more
about the proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme, how (and if!) it will work,
and to understand the detail of what this channel, which cuts across the
whole of the west side of the City will look like. We have also been keen
to understand how it will affect the natural environment and Oxford’s
precious green spaces, notably Hinksey Meadow next to Willow Walk,
which is owned by OPT. Come to a public meeting on Wednesday 31
January at 7.30pm at the Botley WI Hall to find out more.
Botley W.I.
In November we enjoyed a talk by Captain Cyril Mannion, about the
routine on the flight deck of an airliner. Our next meeting will be on 5th
December, when we will be entertained by Cumnor Community Choir..
On 12th December the walking group meet at 10.00 at Elms Parade, to
take a bus to Wootton and walk to Cotehill, with lunch at the Merry Miller.
The book group will meet in December; but no Craft group this month.
Sign up now for the Scarf workshop on 24 February 2018.
Wishing a Merry Christmas and happy New Year to all members.
Alison Jenner
Active Seniors
The Vale of White Horse in cooperation with Sport England is turning its
attention to the needs of its senior citizens. They have taken on Aled
Newton to coordinate sessions, either instructor-led (like Zumba gold,
seated yoga) or self-run (like table tennis). Sessions will start in the new
year, and costs will be covered for the first 10 weeks, after which the
instructor or participants will take over. First-off is the Functional Fitness
MOT at Dean Court Community Centre on 8th December, to gauge
general fitness and the level of interest in the sessions.
Jane Chapman
The Sprout was very sorry to learn of the death this autumn of Jane
Chapman, a local character if ever there was one. She was a colourful
piece of the jigsaw that makes up the Botley scene, and will be missed –
our sympathy goes out to her family. There must be lots of stories about
Jane, who famously spoke as she saw things, without fear or favour –
and at least some of them should be printable. So if you would like to
share your funny memory of Jane, please get in touch with the editor at
the address on the inside front cover and we will print a selection.
Pat Back
Celebrated her 80th birthday in style
at a party on 7th October. As one of
our deliverers she gets a special
mention in this column, and here’s a
photo of the happy gathering
showing Pat and some of the forty or
so friends and neighbours from
Hinksey Lane who joined her in the
W.I. Hall.
Organizations: If your organization is not listed here, please send details
to editor@theSprout.org.uk or telephone 724452 for inclusion.
1st Botley Brownies
Girls aged 7–10
Dean Court Community Centre Thur 6–7.30 Fiona
Wheeler, firstbotleybrownies@gmail.com
2nd Botley Brownies
Girls aged 7–10
Rosary Room, Yarnells Hill. Tues 6 -7.30 : Alison
Griffin 01865 379247
4th Oxford Scout Group
Beavers, Cub Scouts, Scouts
Scout Hall, Arnolds Way; mail@thefourth.org.uk
Website: http://www.thefourth.org.uk/
15th Oxford Scout Group
Boys and girls welcome
Meet Fridays, Botley Baptist Hall Contact: Julie Tatham
01865 863074 or Amy Cusden 07887 654386
Baby & Toddler Group
Tues / Thurs 9.15–11am, SS Peter & Paul Church Hall
Badminton Club
Thurs 7-8pm at Matthew Arnold Sports Hall. Garry Clark
0777 3559 314 garryclark13@gmail.com
Books on Wheels R.V.S.
Free Library Service for housebound Ox. 248142
Botley Boys & Girls F.C.
Football teams from ages 8-16
Jason Barley Ox. 242926 jbarley1@ sky.com or Brendan
Byrne Ox.792531 brendan.byrne999@gmail.com
Botley Health Walks
Wednesday 9.30 a.m Contact: Briony 246497
Botley Library
01865 248142. Open till 7 on Friday and 1pm on Sat,
otherwise 9.30 to 5.30 (closed Wednesdays).
Botley Singers
Thur 7.30, St Andrew’s Church, Dean Court. Angela
Astley-Penny Ox.242189 angastpen@aol.com
Chair-based Exercise Class
Tuesdays 10.30 – 11.30 a.m. Seacourt Hall
Contact Lizzie, Oxon Age UK, 07785 425601
Community Fridge
For all. Put food in, take food out. Ss P&P church, Mon–
Sat 9–5, Sun 11–5. Riki Therivel 07759 135811
Cumnor Choral Society
Friday 7.30 to 9.30 pm Contact: 01235 533726 or
07552 786127 or www.cumnorchoral.co.uk
Cumnor Chess Club
Thurs 7–9pm Cumnor Old School. Steven Bennett
862788 www.cumnorchessclub.co.uk
Cumnor & District Historical
Society
Last Monday of the month 7.30-9.00 Cumnor Old
School. 01865 724808
Cumnor Gardening Club
Details on website at http://cumnorgardens.org.uk/ or
phone Chirs Impey, 01865 721026
Fit Steps – exercise based
on dance
Friday 6–7pm, Seacourt Hall. Email Rosalie on
rosalie.crane@btinternet.com
Harmony InSpires, Ladies'
Acappella Singing Group
Wed 7.30 at Appleton village hall. C. Casson 01235
831352 or harmonyinspires@hotmail.co.uk
Hill End Volunteer Team
Contact: David Millin on david.millin@hill-end.org, call
01865-863510 or visit www.hillend-oec.co.uk
Let’s Sing! – singing group
Weds 2pm, WOCC, details Emily 07969 522368
or email emformusic@outlook.com
Morris Dancing – Cry Havoc
Barbara Brett 249599 or bag@cryhavoc.org.uk
Mum and Baby Yoga for
babies from 6 wks to crawling
Mondays 10.30 at Dean Court CC, contact Jacqueline
Rice via https://yogawithjacqueline.co.uk
North Hinksey Preschool and
Childcare Clubs
Mon–Fri 7.45am –6.00 pm. 01865 794287 or email
nhps.manager1@gmail.com
N Hinksey Art Group
Weds 10 – 12.00 W.I. Hall Tel: Christina 07931 707997
N Hinksey Bellringers
Contact: Ray Rook 01865 241451
N Hinksey Conservation
Volunteers
Meets at weekends. Contact Voirrey Carr
07798743121 voirreyc@aol.com
N Hinksey, Friends of
Annual Cricket Match & Walk. Douglas Bond 791213.
N Hinksey Horticultural Soc
Contact: Ann Dykes Ox 251821 anndykes@hotmail.com
N Hinksey Parish Council
Alan Stone 01865 861992 nhpcclerk@msn.com
N Hinksey Youth Club
Wednesdays at Arnold's Way pavilion, call Daz on
07791 212866 or see Facebook
Over Sixties Lunch Club
Every other Thursday. Seacourt Hall. Marina Bennett
01865 242312
Oxford Flood Alliance
Liz Sawyer 07981 339301 lucas.liz@gmail.com
Oxford Flower Arranging Club
4th Thursday Cumnor. Dympna Walker: 01865 865259
Oxford Otters
Swimming for people with disabilities. Sundays, twice
monthly. Contact: Alan Cusden 723420
Oxford Rugby Club
Boys and girls from 5, kevin.honner@ntlworld.com
Seniors, training etc jbrodley@chandlings.org.uk.
Oxford Sports Lawn Tennis
Club, N Hinksey
Family club: Melanie Riste 848658 or
melanie_riste@hotmail.com
Parkinson’s Disease Soc
Contact: Pen Keyte, Branch Secretary 01865 556032.
Raleigh Park, Friends of
David Brown raleighpark@raleighpark.org.uk
Saturdads
Botley Bridges
Fun activities and trips for Dads and under 5’s
10 am–noon 1st Sat of month. Tel: 243955
Seacourt Hall management
committee
Contact: Michael Cockman 07766 317691
michael.cockman@gmail.com.
Shotokan Karate club
6+ WOCC twice weekly Martyn King 07836 646450
Weight Watchers
Thursdays 6pm at SS Peter & Paul Church Hall Banso
tel: 07779 253899 bansob@aol.com
West Oxford Bowls Club
Contact: Marion Bostock 436277
West Oxford Taekwon Do
Club
Mon, Thurs 6.30-8pm, MA gym, contact Chris Hall
07815 899698 www.wotkd.co.uk
West Oxford U3A
(Uni of the 3rd Age) Elizabeth Stevens, 739252
West Way Day Centre
(Royal Voluntary Service)
Mon & Fri 10–3pm, Elaine Spencer, 07740 611971.
oxfordshirehub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
Which Craft?
Pavilion, Arnold’s way, fourth Monday, contact
whichcraft.botley@yahoo.co.uk
Women’s Institute (Botley)
Monthly, 1st Tuesday: Liz Manson, tel. 244175 or email
liz.manson@virginmedia.com
